Apparatus and method for treating cancer cells and bacteria in mammals including humans

ABSTRACT

Bacteria, cancer cells, fungus and other harmful cells located beneath the surface of a mammal body can be effectively destroyed by passing an electrical current through the area to be treated. Electrodes are positioned on either side of the area to be treated, for example, gums, fingers, arms, legs, feet and torso, and an electric current is caused to flow between the electrodes and through the area to be treated. The electric current will destroy the bacteria, cancer cells, fungus or other harmful cells.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the destruction of cancer and bacteria cellsand other harmful cells at various locations within the human body bygenerating an electrical current between two electrodes such that thecurrent passes through the portion of the body in which bacteria orother harmful cells reside.

2. Description of Related Art

The ability to kill bacteria, cancer cells, fungus and mold spores byutilizing an electrolytic cell has been known for many years. Utilizingan anode and a cathode in a container of water and supplying an AC or DCcurrent to the anode and cathode, the cells between the electrodes havebeen destroyed. The prevailing wisdom says that the current upsets theosmotic balance of the bacteria cell and causes the cell to eitherimplode or explode. This destruction has been verified by many studiesthat are readily available to the public. See for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,948,733 to Yoshida et al issued Sep. 7, 1999 and “PretreatmentCapabilities and Benefits of Electrocoagulation” by Michael Mickley,Boulder Colo., December 2004.

Additionally, Patent Publication No. 2009/0117513A1, published May 7,2009 discloses that low direct current between two electrodes positionedon opposite sides of teeth gums in the human mouth is effective to killbacteria as well as viruses and fungus. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.7,837,719 to Brogan et al issued Nov. 23, 2010, discloses that toenailfungus can be destroyed by placing one or both feet in a containerfilled with a solution and passing a low current over and around thetoes and nails. The current is created by electrodes positioned withinthe container.

With respect to cancer cells, studies have shown that low current flowbetween electrodes implanted within the body is effective in treatingcancer cells. See for examples, U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,808 to Schroeppel etal, issued Apr. 2, 2002 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,079,890 to Aker et al,issued Jul. 18, 2006.

These prior art medical devices utilize very low current levels and areonly effective to destroy surface bacteria and or viruses but are noteffective to penetrate deeper into human tissue to kill bacteria and orviruses located beneath the surface or skin level without implantation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is the destruction of bacteria molds or cancercells below the surface level of the human body by creating an electriccurrent between two electrodes which are positioned externally betweenthe areas of the body to be treated. The electric current is confinedbetween the two electrodes and thus does not injure other areas of thebody.

Tests have been done using beef hamburger meat over an inch thick andapplying a DC current across the meat with a given amount of bacteriathroughout the entire thickness of the meat. After analysis, it wasproven that the bacteria in the middle of the meat were destroyedwithout changing the temperature of the meat. This test was conductedseveral times to arrive at the best power settings to assure thedestruction of the bacteria at a given thickness. More voltage isrequired to penetrate a thicker sample of meat than that of a thinnerpiece. It was found that the required amps would be fairly constant butmore voltage would be required to achieve the amps in thicker samples ofmeat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an apparatus suitable forcarrying out an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention suitablefor treating foot disorders.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second embodiment according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of device suitable for carrying out anembodiment of the invention. A pair of electrodes 11 and 12 areconnected to the opposite poles of a power source 14 which may be avariable power output source. The power source is preferable a DC powersource. The electrodes can be made of any known material suitable forelectrodes such as stainless steel, but preferably are constructed as abase plate made of titanium with a ruthenium or other noble coatings.The size and shape of the electrodes will depend upon the area of thebody to be treated and could include curved surfaces and plates thathave been curved for positioning around a finger, arm or leg forexample.

Electrodes 11 and 12 are positioned exteriorly on either side of thearea of the body to be treated as figuratively illustrated at 13. Powersource can then be activated and the power adjusted in order to providean effective amount of current to pass through body mass 13 so as todestroy the bacteria in the area to be treated.

In an alternative arrangement shown in FIG. 3, non-rigid electrodes 31and 32 could be a wire mesh or any porous substance arrangement 35 and36 in a protective bag, cloth or other suitable material 33 and 34. Theelectrodes can be saturated with a brine solution of water to facilitatethe transfer of the electricity from the electrode to the area of thebody 37 being treated. The wire mesh or porous material can be stainlesssteel or other suitable conductive material but using a noble electrodemade of titanium with a ruthenium coating is preferred. In eitherarrangement, a layer of water between the electrodes or a cloth wrap orsponge will protect the body from making contact with the electrodes.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus for treating feet. Inthis embodiment three elongated electrodes 21, 22 and 23 are positionedwithin a container. Electrodes 21, 22 and 23 are long enough to coverthe entire foot length and high enough to cover the foot up to aboutankle height. The patient's feet are positioned between the plateelectrodes as shown at 26 and 27. Plates 21 and 23 are connected to onepole of the power sources via lead 24 and electrode 22 is connected tothe opposite pole by lead 25. In operation a conductive solution isplaced in the container and the patient's feet are positioned at 26 and27. The power source is energized and can be adjusted so that aneffective amount of current flows between the electrodes to destroybacteria and or fungus below the toe nails.

The range of current for the foot bath type of device is from 0.5 ampsto 6 amps. Higher current will be utilized to penetrate deeper to treatdiseases under the skin.

In the case of wire mesh pads and the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rangewill range from 0.05 amps up to 6 amps depending on the thickness of theextremity being treated. The voltage will vary depending on theconductivity of the extremity which will determine how many volts willbe required to push the required amps through the extremity.

EXAMPLE 1

Treatment of abscessed tooth utilizing dc current to kill the associatedbacteria which caused great pain due to the infection in the root of thetooth. Pain is the most common system of needing a root canal. Thepaining from this condition is fairly specific. If the tooth is stillalive, it will become extremely sensitive to hot or cold water. Thispain can continue day and night and an abscess will form when the pulpof the tooth dies and a pus pocket forms around the end of the root. Thepus accumulates in an area of dead nerve tissue that is infected withbacteria. Although antibiotics can help the bacteria from spreading toother surrounding teeth and gums, a root canal will be required to cleanout all the dead tissue and bacteria inside the pulp inside the rootcanal.

The root canal cannot be performed while there is still an infection inthe tooth due to bacteria. Antibiotics must be taken for up to 10 daysbefore the infection is cleared and before the root canal can beperformed. During these 10 days the pain will continue day and nightuntil antibiotics can destroy the bacteria and lesson the pain. Thispain can continue for days until controlled.

Two patients who were diagnosed with an abscessed tooth both of whichhad tremendous pain were treated with a bacteria treatment deviceaccording to the invention which includes a positive and negativeelectrode which are inserted in the mouth and placed on either side ofthe infected tooth. The positive electrode was placed on one side andthe negative placed on the opposite side. This placement is to assurethat dc current can pass through the entire tooth and gum area of theselected tooth. The electrodes are made of titanium plates withruthenium coating or other similar noble metal and are covered with asponge type material for comfort wetted with a saline solution toenhance current flow to the tooth and gums.

Both patients were subjected to 0.1 and 0.4 of an amp with voltage beingvaried as to the thickness of the gums. This treatment was held forapproximately 3 minutes but more or less may be required. The goal wasto destroy the bacteria thus relieving the pain quickly in lieu ofwaiting days for the pain to subside. Some patients cannot take thestrong pain medication due to other health issues and must face the painuntil the antibiotics clear the infection. This procedure can alsoshorten the time which a root canal can be accomplished when a dentalx-ray confirms the infection is gone.

Both patients noted that the pain was diminished right away and all painrelieved within a couple of hours. Both patients eventually had the rootcanals done at their convenience.

EXAMPLE 2

A 50 year old patient was referred to a podiatrist with a fungal growthon his toes. The doctor noted a visible fungal growth on the patient'sfeet and a biopsy was taken. The pathology report which was received inthe doctors off was as follows:

-   -   Diagnosis: Nail plate and attached superficial nail bed, right        hallux, biopsy showed PAS reaction demonstrates probably        dermatophytes. Moderate fungal growth is observed.        Onychomycosis, sub fungal pattern.    -   Treatment: The patient was treated using an anode and cathode        device which is placed over each toe with one electrode on the        top of the toe and the other electrode on the bottom of the toe.        This arrangement allows the direct current when applied to flow        through the toe to destroy the fungus. The toes were treated        utilizing voltages ranging from 9 volts to 32 volts depending on        the size of the toe. Time of treatment was approximately 5        minutes per toe.    -   A post treatment biopsy was taken by the attending doctor.    -   Post treatment biopsy results: A PAS reaction and GMS stain fail        to demonstrate fungal elements. It was shown that treatment of        this fungus using DC current with specific applied voltages was        very successful.    -   All treatment was conducted under a doctor's care in the        doctor's office.

EXAMPLE 3

Infected acne or boils can occur when a hair follicle becomes pluggedwith oil or dirt and then becomes infected with bacteria. In most casesthese areas are just under the skin and are easily treated with spacedelectrodes as disclosed herein.

Patient with infected acne on facial cheek: The patient had a verypainful rising on his left cheek that was very red and stood out on hisface.

The patient was given a device which resembles a large clothes pin whereone surface is a stainless positive electrode and the opposite surfacewas stainless negative electrode. The electrodes were connected to a DCcurrent power supply capable of supplying 0.1 to 0.9 amps with variedvoltage. The patient was able to clamp the two electrodes over theinfected area and then gradually increase voltage/amps until the amountof current becomes uncomfortable then the power is dialed back to alevel that could be tolerated. The power was left on for approximately60 seconds.

Results: By the end of the day the pain had subsided and the sorenesswas better. By the next morning, the area was no longer swollen and thesoreness was totally gone. Two days later, there was no sign of theinfected area. The DC current had penetrated under the skin anddestroyed the bacteria allowing a healing process to begin.

Although the present invention has been described with respect tospecific details, it is not intended that such details should beregarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to theextent that they are included in the accompanying claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of killing bacteria, cancer cells or other harmfulcells located beneath the surface of a mammal body comprising:positioning a pair of electrodes on either side and exterior of an areacontaining the harmful cells; connecting a power source to theelectrodes; and energizing the power source to product an effectiveamount of current that passes through the area containing the harmfulcells.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the current passingthrough the area containing the harmful cells is between 0.05 amps and 6amps.
 3. The method according to claim 1 further including providing aprotective layer of either water or a cloth wrap or sponge between theelectrodes to provide the body from making direct contact with eitherelectrode.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the harmful cellsare bacteria, fungus, mold spores or cancers.
 5. The method according toclaim 1 wherein one electrode is connected to a positive side of thepower source and the other electrode is connected to a negative side ofthe power source.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the power source is adirect current power source.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pairof electrodes are placed in contact with an infected area on the bodycontaining the harmful cell.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein theelectrodes are made of a noble metal with a ruthenium coating.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the portion of the body containing the harmfulcells is submerged in an electrically conductive liquid solution andfurther including the steps of positioning the electrodes within thesolution without contacting the portion of the body in which the harmfulcells are located.